German player Ricardo WALTHER about 2019 European Games (table tennis June 22-29): “Although I am only the substitute I try to support the boys as much as I can”
German player Ricardo WALTHER current world no. 38 believes that his national team is strong enough to take gold at 2nd European Games in Minsk Belarus and secure its place for 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Table tennis events commences today June 22nd. Four years ago in Baku Germany finished fourth.
“I think the European Games are very important and the first chance to qualify for the Olympics! No matter which competition every starting place counts and will be very facilitating for all if you get one. It is also nearly a European Championship with kind of an Olympic flair which makes the event even more special” stated Borussia Dusseldorf player Ricardo WALTHER.
Expectations at 2019 EG?
“Although I am only the substitute I try to support the boys as much as I can. I will be available all day to get the team in shape. We definitely want to win the title as we would automatically be in Tokyo with the national team next year. And that is a great goal for me as well.”
Who are favorites and why?
“After the team won the European title last time I think we are in a favored position. But there will be many strong nations you have to keep an eye on. Sweden France Portugal Austria and Great Britain are extremely dangerous and could be a surprise. My favorite players for the single competition are my German team mates Timo BOLL Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Vladimir SAMSONOV from Belarus. They have so much experience with important games and big tournaments and will be prepared. I think it’s so important to have a good mental strength and for me experience will be the most important.
Possible upsets?
“There are many nations in the team competition who have chances to win the title. England has a great team spirit and plays very well together. PITCHFORD FALCK or PUCAR could provide promises in the singles.”
Personal aim for 2019/20 season?
“My biggest goal for the upcoming summer is to participate in Tokyo where the Olympic Games will take place. Another goal is to defend the European title with Germany and win a World Championship medal in 2020. Beside that I would like to win as much titles with Borussia Düsseldorf as I can.”
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Tennis Olympic Center with a capacity of 1 000 seats will host five table tennis events in Minsk from 22nd to 29th June. A total 122 players will compete for the spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: three medallists in the men’s and women’s singles events will secure their places while the gold medallists in the men’s and women’s team events and mixed doubles event will get an Olympic quota. That’s why all best European players will travel to Minsk.
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Top seeding list (best 16) Men Singles:
1 Timo BOLL (Germany) 2 Matias FALCK (Sweden) 3 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) 4 Liam PITCHFORD (England) 5 Vladimir SAMSONOV (Belarus) 6 Simon GAUZY (France) 7 Kristian KARLSSON (Sweden) 8 Daniel HABESOHN (Austria) 9 Emmanuel LEBESSON (France) 10 Jonathan GROTH (Denmark) 11 Marcos FREITAS (Portugal) 12 Tomislav PUCAR (Croatia) 13 Tiago APOLONIA (Portugal) 14 Cedric NUYTINCK (Belgium) 15 Darko JORGIC (Slovenia) 16 Alvaro ROBLES MARTINEZ (Spain).
Top seeding list (best 16) Women Singles:
1 Bernadette SZOCS (Romania) 2 Sofia POLCANOVA (Austria) 3 Matilda EKHOLM (Sweden) 4 Petrissa SOLJA (Germany) 5 Elizabeta SAMARA (Romania) 6 Georgina POTA (Hungary) 7 LI Jie (Netherlands) 8 FU Yu (Portugal) 9 Britt EERLAND (Netherlands) 10 Margaryta PESOTSKA (Ukraine) 11 Barbora BALAZOVA (Slovakia) 12 Polina MIKHAILOVA (Russia) 13 HAN Ying (Germany) 14 LI Qian (Poland) 15 NI Xia Lian (Luxembourg) 16 Hana MATELOVA (Czech Republic).
Top seeding list (best 12) Men Team:
1 Germany 2 Sweden 3 Austria 4 Great Britain 5 France 6 Slovenia 7 Croatia 8 Belarus 9 Portugal 10 Belgium 11 Romania 12 Denmark.
Top seeding list (best 12) Women Team:
1 Germany 2 Romania 3 Hungary 4 Austria 5 Netherlands 6 Ukraine 7 Poland 8 Spain 8 Luxembourg 8 Russia 11 Sweden 12 Belarus
More information: here
Organizers website: here
Minsk 2019 results: here
